Family of Four, We're Home!!!

Hello All,
Sorry for the delay with this post. WE'RE HOME! (I think pretty much everyone knows that already :-)We were actually cleared to head home Wednesday, May 13th- we arrived home that evening about 8:45pm. Since then things have been great! We are loving life as a forever family of four! We are blessed. Thanks to all of you for your love and support. Chicago would not have been the same without our family who came to help and filled that apartment will love, laughter and wonderful cooking smells (thanks Mom!!)- we are grateful and appreciative of this.
Here's a picture from last night, bedtime for Oli.. the cutest two of us four :-)

A bit longer in the Windy City

Sounds like we'll be here a little longer than we planned. After such a long wait for Bell, it's nothing to do a few more days in the city. Hoping to get a call from our agency on Friday releasing us to go home. In the meantime...we're trying to have us much fun as we can. Love, TAOB

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

This morning we headed down to the Museum of Science & Industry. Olin had a fantastic time, as there were trains & planes galore. The trip to Chicago would not have been complete without a visit here, as this place is a museum that truly speaks to Olin's heart. Bell slept through nearly the entire visit (no surprise, given that this activity took place during daylight hours).

Olin got to drive a HUGE combine harvester. We couldn't believe the size of this thing.

Happy railroad workers (must belong to a union).

The Carman-Dobbs family will probably be here yet another day as there were a few things the Illinois Interstate Compact office asked for at the end of business yesterday, before they felt that they could send the paperwork on to Madison. Stay tuned...

More Cute Pix...

And at long last...we can have fun!

It's been a crazy week here in Chicago. Friday was the first day that we woke up with nothing on our to-do list. The Interstate Compact paperwork is in motion, and there is nothing to do but wait for it to get processed. Hopefully by next Tuesday or Wednesday our agency will call us and let us know that we are cleared to go home. Until then, we can start to finally enjoy Chicago!

Today we went to the Shedd Aquarium with Grandma. Olin could not have had any more fun. He loved EVERYTHING (especially the shark tank), and we continue to be amazed at his ability to correctly name species of underwater creatures. Perhaps we are raising a future ichthyologist. Bell slept through almost the entire visit, waking up only to eat. She timed her meal right after our lunch, and could not have been any more well-behaved. It was nice of her to give big brother such quality time with his parents and Grandma. We were so happy to see our little guy after his sojourn to Nana & Papa's Tuesday-Friday (and big thanks to Nana & Papa for saving us a great deal of hardship by entertaining him for a few days). Paperwork, court, and doctor's offices are not exactly ideal agendas for 2 and a half year olds.

Up All Night, Sleep All Day

Part of the court process down here in Illinois is that a summons must be served to Bell, and it's actually got to touch her. Here is a Cook County Sheriff's Deputy serving Bell her summons. Bell of course slept through nearly all of court, waking up only to poop and to eat. She sleeps through just about everything...except the night. She likes to party with her Daddy during the hours of 12-3, and then tear it up with Mom until the break of dawn. She's sweet enough to get away with it.

Busy Day

Thanks to everyone that has called and wished us well. We are really busy today and the next few days. Today was final surrender, Bell's first doctor appointment (she's doing great!), and we're excited to be hanging out with the birthmom this afternoon at a very beautiful park near our apartment. With luck, we'll be in court tomorrow afternoon, and we've got a ton of paperwork to do tonight. Friday we'll have an appointment with our adoption agency to do even more hours of paperwork! In the meantime, we're having a blast with Bell. She slept almost 5 straight hours last night, which was a wonderful gift to her parents.

Olin is in Milwaukee for a few days with Nana & Papa, as doctor appointments, court, and agency paperwork are not among his interests. This weekend & next week we'll have to spoil him rotten down here in Chicago.

Love,
TAOB

Presenting...Bell Berneice!!!

Final Surrender

Just waiting on final surrender to be done, should be happening as I type...stay tuned for pix...

Welcome Baby!!!

Hello All,
The call we were waiting for came on Sunday morning 5/3. Baby GIRL! 6 pounds, 2 ounces was born on Saturday, May 2nd around 7:55pm. We arrived in Chicago yesterday to meet her at the hospital.. she's tiny and beautiful (pics soon to come). I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to spend the night here at the hospital with birthmom and baby. We hope to be bringing her back to stay with us here in Chicago.. one step at a time.
I know this is brief, we'll update more later, just wanted to share the good news.